Storm Emma has left a trail of destruction across South Devon creating severe disruption to travel - and resulting in significant damage to homes and businesses.

Train services have been suspended, roads have been washed away and many buildings have been damaged, inlcuing one cafe that was swept into the sea.

Firefighters, police and coastguards were at Beesands in the South Hams this morning evacuating elderly residents after fierce winds and high waves hit the vulnerable waterfront community, reports our sister title DevonLive.

Pictures show parts of the main A379 road along the exposed Slapton Line have been washed away.

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Parts of the main A379 road along the exposed Slapton Line have been washed away (Image: Gerald Taylor)

In Torquay more than a dozen parked cars were washed across the seafront as waves crashed over the main Torbay Road at high tide. Members of the public banded together to shovel up bricks, tarmac, shale and sand.

The green on the seafront flooded with one car left floating in the lake of water.

A car submerged on Torre Abbey Meadows

All trains heading north out of Plymouth have been suspended until further notice, because of damage to the sea wall at Dawlish. It is understood there is rubble on the line.

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Some of the 23 boats in the fishing fleet have been unable to get home as Storm Emma brings easterly winds up to Storm Force 10. It may be next Monday or Tuesday before they can come back into the Bay.

Pictures show the beam trawler Our Lady Lou struggling to get back into port as enormous waves crash over the mile-long breakwater. They are taken by Brixham photographer Alan Letcher.

Fishermen said it was the worst weather they had seen in 10 years (Image: Alan Letcher)